Do I need a phone number to make outbound calls?

No. Outbound calls do not require purchasing a dedicated phone number.

Can I receive calls in my browser?

Yes. Inbound calling requires a unique US/Canada digital number ($2.14 to $5/month).

Can I use StartACall without making my customers install LINE or any app?

Yes. Outbound calls go through your browser and reach normal phone numbers, so the person you call does not need LINE, StartACall, or any app installed.

Do I need a phone number to start calling?

No. Outbound calling needs no phone number and is billed per minute, pay as you go. You only add a number if you want to receive inbound calls.

How much does it cost to receive calls for my business?

To take inbound calls you add a US or Canada digital number for about $2.14 to $5 per month, plus the per minute cost of any outbound calls you place.

Is StartACall good for calling clients in Japan, Taiwan or Thailand?

Yes. It is designed for international calling and runs in the browser with end to end encryption, so you can reach clients in LINE heavy markets and anywhere else without each side using the same app.

Business Guide

LINE App Alternatives for Business

Place the call from your browser in seconds. Nothing to install, and outbound calls need no phone number.

Product facts

Outbound: No dedicated number required.
Inbound: Requires US/Canada digital number ($2.14 to $5/month).
No apps: Works in Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox.

See Alternatives

Browser Calling Web Ready

📞

Why businesses look for LINE alternatives

LINE is strong in messaging in several APAC markets, but many businesses need global voice reach, PSTN numbers, and web-first calling tools for sales and support. The right platform gives you direct phone reach and better operator workflows.

Common limitations of app-only platforms

Reliance on customers installing the app to call or receive voice support
Limited PSTN integration for outbound sales and IVR
Harder to run contact center workflows and analytics

What the best alternatives deliver

Browser-based PSTN calls to any phone number
Secure, encrypted calls with enterprise controls
, real-time copilot, and transcription for workflows

Top LINE alternatives for business

Short summaries to help you pick the right platform depending on whether you need messaging, PSTN voice, or developer-level control.

WhatsApp Business

Great for message-first engagement in many markets. Supports official business accounts and templates. Voice calling via the app is possible but not web-first PSTN calling.

Best if you need messaging reach and templated notifications.

Zoom Phone / Microsoft Teams Phone

Full cloud PBX options with PSTN calling, call queues, and contact center integrations. These are strong when you need a complete telephony stack inside your UC environment.

Best if you need integrated PBX and enterprise telephony workflows.

Google Voice / RingCentral

Cloud phone numbers and business calling with good admin controls and integrations. Typically used for US-focused voice and small to mid-market contact centers.

Best for businesses focused on US and international calling with admin controls.

Twilio Programmable Voice

Developer-first PSTN and SIP control with global number provisioning. Ideal when you need full customization, IVR, and call automation. StartACall uses Twilio as the backbone to bridge WebRTC and PSTN.

Best for developers and companies building custom telephony features.

StartACall (Browser VoIP + AI)

StartACall provides browser-based calling to global phone numbers, virtual number management in 190+ countries, for autonomous calling, and a real-time copilot for live calls. No apps required for agents or customers to pick up phone calls.

Best if you want quick deployment, web-based agents, and AI-assisted calling workflows.

Telegram / Messaging APIs

Strong for bot-based messaging and broadcast. Not designed for PSTN voice out of the box, but useful as part of an omnichannel stack where voice is handled by a separate telephony provider.

Best when messaging automation is the priority and voice is separate.

What a modern LINE alternative should provide

Whether you keep LINE for messaging or move off it entirely, a business telephony platform should let you reach customers without asking them to install anything, while giving your team tools to operate efficiently.

Browser-based calling to any phone number
Virtual numbers in target countries for local caller ID
for outbound and inbound voice automation
Real-time copilot for agents with live transcription and suggested replies
Call routing, IVR, and analytics for operations
Simple admin controls and integrations with CRM

Global Reach

Local numbers and PSTN coverage across 190+ countries for true phone reach.

Secure

Encrypted WebRTC sessions and access controls for enterprise security.

AI Assist

Transcription, sentiment hints, and to automate routine calls.

Fast Setup

Start calling in minutes from the browser with no software installs for agents or customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LINE still necessary for markets like Japan or Thailand?

LINE remains a strong messaging channel in several APAC markets. Many businesses use LINE for chats and notifications while using a separate telephony platform for voice, PSTN reach, and contact center workflows.

Can I keep using LINE for messaging and use StartACall for voice?

Yes. An omnichannel approach works well. Keep LINE for customer messaging and onboarding, and use StartACall for inbound and outbound phone calls, , and analytics.

Will customers need to install anything to receive a call?

No. Calls made from StartACall reach regular phone numbers via PSTN. Customers answer on their phone like a normal call, so no app is required.

Can I buy local phone numbers in my customers country?

Yes. StartACall supports virtual numbers in 190+ countries so you can present local caller ID and improve answer rates.

Ready to replace app-only voice with web calling?

Get browser-based phone reach, virtual numbers, and in one platform. No downloads, instant setup for teams.